A mahapanchayat on Sunday in Bawana in Delhi
Delhi Police personnel are keeping a close watch on Bawana in north Delhi where provocative posters and speeches at a "Mahapanchayat" or meeting on Sunday have raised worries about a communal flare-up ahead of Muharram on Tuesday.
Around 800 policemen are posted at Bawana, nearly two weeks after clashes on Diwali at Trilokpuri, which is still tense.
The Delhi Police have been criticised for allowing the meeting despite warning signs in pamphlets that have been in circulation for a week. Police chief BS Bassi told NDTV that his force was extensively patrolling Bawana and "other sensitive areas".
BJP legislator Gugan Singh Ranga and Congress councilor Devender Kumar both attended Sunday's Mahapanchayat, where speeches called for a change in the route of a "Taziya" procession to be taken out as part of Muharram, which marks the death of Prophet Mohammad's grandson in the battle of Karbala.
Mr Ranga has been accused by Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party of making an incendiary speech. "Whatever you want and decide, I will support you," Mr Ranga told the gathering.
Mr Kejriwal tweeted today, "I have information that in villages, people are rejecting the politics of hate. I am proud of them."
The Delhi police chief told NDTV that he had information about simmering tension in Bawana a month ago and preventive steps were taken.
"Aman (communal harmony) committees were formed by the police to bring both sides to the table. It succeeded and the route has been changed. I would request everyone to avoid rumour-mongering or it will be dealt with strongly," Mr Bassi said.
The Hindu and Muslim residential areas are separated by a small canal.
Residents of a village where mostly Hindu families stay complained that the Muharram procession blocks a key road and affects their business.
Rais, a resident of a JJ colony on the other side of the canal, told NDTV, ""The same route has been followed for 10 years, but they never complained before. But now since they have, we have decided to limit our procession to the JJ colony...we want to maintain harmony in the area."
Around 800 policemen are posted at Bawana, nearly two weeks after clashes on Diwali at Trilokpuri, which is still tense.
The Delhi Police have been criticised for allowing the meeting despite warning signs in pamphlets that have been in circulation for a week. Police chief BS Bassi told NDTV that his force was extensively patrolling Bawana and "other sensitive areas".
BJP legislator Gugan Singh Ranga and Congress councilor Devender Kumar both attended Sunday's Mahapanchayat, where speeches called for a change in the route of a "Taziya" procession to be taken out as part of Muharram, which marks the death of Prophet Mohammad's grandson in the battle of Karbala.
Mr Ranga has been accused by Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party of making an incendiary speech. "Whatever you want and decide, I will support you," Mr Ranga told the gathering.
Mr Kejriwal tweeted today, "I have information that in villages, people are rejecting the politics of hate. I am proud of them."
The Delhi police chief told NDTV that he had information about simmering tension in Bawana a month ago and preventive steps were taken.
"Aman (communal harmony) committees were formed by the police to bring both sides to the table. It succeeded and the route has been changed. I would request everyone to avoid rumour-mongering or it will be dealt with strongly," Mr Bassi said.
The Hindu and Muslim residential areas are separated by a small canal.
Residents of a village where mostly Hindu families stay complained that the Muharram procession blocks a key road and affects their business.
Rais, a resident of a JJ colony on the other side of the canal, told NDTV, ""The same route has been followed for 10 years, but they never complained before. But now since they have, we have decided to limit our procession to the JJ colony...we want to maintain harmony in the area."
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